Herbs for Health Recipe: Dill – Tzatziki and Cacik

Herbs for Health Recipe: Dill – Tzatziki and Cacik

Recipes · Reading Time : 3 mins ·
The Whole Health Practice

If you have travelled to Greece or Turkey - or enjoyed their cuisine in a restaurant - you will have likely encountered the creamy, garlicky, dill delight of Tzatziki aka Cacik. Popular all over the Eastern Mediterranean, the Lebanese version is called khyar bi laban, this dish can be enjoyed with bread or as an accompaniment to grilled meats and vegetables.

Wherever you may have travelled and however you prefer to pronounce its name, enjoy these recipes below.

1. Akis Petretzikis

Video Recipe

Ingredients: 

  • 300 g strained yogurt
  • 1 cucumber
  • 1/3 clove(s) of garlic
  • 3 tablespoon(s) vinegar, or white wine
  • 1/4 bunch dill, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoon(s) olive oil
  • 1 pinch salt pepper

Preparation: 

  1. Peel the cucumber and grate with a cheese grater, using the large blades. Put in a bowl.
  2. Add a pinch of salt and 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar. Toss and set aside to release its liquid.
  3. In the meantime, combine the yogurt, 1/3 of a garlic clove (minced), 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar and 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Mix until combined.
  4. Mix until it is combined and creamy. Squeeze the cucumber with your hands to release any remaining liquid.
  5. Discard the liquid and add the cucumber to the yogurt mixture. Stir into mixture.
  6. Add pepper and adjust salt according to taste. Add some finely chopped dill and your sauce is ready.
  7. Refrigerate until needed.
  8. Serve it with some carrots, peppers, cucumber and Greek pita bread!

The Turkish version, cacik, often has a hint of dried mint...

2. Restaurant Style Cacik

Video Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 Large English Cucumber or 2 Small Salad cucumbers
  • 1 Large clove of garlic
  • 500g Greek or Turkish strained yoghurt
  • 4 Tbsp Lemon Juice
  • 1 Tbsp fresh dill
  • 2 Tsp Dried Mint
  • 1 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 Tsp salt

Preparation: 

  1. Wash and grate your cucumbers using the large side of your grater or chop the cucumbers into small cubes.
  2. Remove the dill leaves from their stalks and finely mince.
  3. Mince the garlic and combine all of the ingredients together in a bowl.
  4. Mix well until a uniform mixture has come together.
  5. Place in a bowl, make a well and add in some olive oil, sprinkle over some sumac or pul biber.

Stay Healthy,

Alastair

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Bonus Read:

More than just taste, herbs can bring health and joy to our lives. Stay tuned for our complete collection of articles, recipes and more...

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This content is brought to you by The Whole Health Practice. Alastair Hunt (NBC-HWC) is the Founder and Chief Wellbeing Officer at The Whole Health Practice. Based in Singapore, The Whole Health Practice supports individuals and teams around the world to improve their health, performance and vitality. Want to learn more about healthy living or sign up for regular health content? Visit www.thewholehealthpractice.com


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